Real estate is a team sport and your network is your net worth so the more people you interact with, the more deals and partnerships you can make.

You will be loving life when fast forward 6 years you can attend every sporting event, school meeting, play, etc. because of the freedom your real estate provides.  

They key is to commit to the area and get to know the centers of influence in the area and that includes the local business owners, HS and youth sports coaches, political reps, pastors, non profit coordinators, housing authority case workers, and yes... the drug lords, pimps and OG's to a lesser degree.

The point was mentioned that you can negotiate a better price by not using an agent, true, but to me REI is a team sport & if I started excluding my normal broker from deals word might get out, especially since I am in a smaller market.  

Driving a "crap" car today so that later you can buy that sports car .. in cash ( if you want to ).

I do love to ride my motorcycle, travel, fish, hunt, play beach bum, play sports, watch sports, and do anything else that brings joy.

The third is a collectible sports car from my high school days that I bought last year because I hit a financial milestone.

In my City, schools, sports venues, dine in restaurants are all closed now. 

The content and resources in the student portal alone were worth the price of admission.Lastly, as many people on BiggerPockets would probably agree, real estate investing is a team sport. 

I am driving distance for sporting, theatre, etc... events.